Encore Protection is proud to announce that John Strus has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Victim of Drunk Driving Scholarship.
John’s life changed forever on June 24, 2023, when his father, Jozef Strus, was killed by a drunk driver while riding his bicycle just blocks from their family home in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood. Jozef, a Polish immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1985, had worked grueling 10–12 hour shifts in a steel factory for over 36 years to provide for his family. He retired in July 2022, finally ready to enjoy travel and time with loved ones, only to have his life taken less than a year later.
The driver, Michael Kelly, had two prior DUIs and a license suspension of more than eight years, yet was still able to rent a car and drive impaired. After striking Jozef, Kelly fled the scene instead of rendering aid. The tragedy devastated the Strus family and sent shockwaves through their tight-knit community. Just four months later, another bicyclist in the same neighborhood was killed by a drunk driver.
“Losing my father right as I was entering young adulthood forced me to mature very quickly,”
John shared. “I understood drunk driving was dangerous, but I never truly grasped the emotional, financial, and psychological toll it takes on families until it happened to us.”
Motivated by his father’s legacy of hard work and perseverance, John is channeling his grief into action. He plans to attend law school after completing his undergraduate and graduate studies, with the goal of advocating for stricter DUI laws and supporting families impacted by impaired driving. He believes first-time offenders should face a minimum five-year license suspension, with repeat offenders receiving 10-year to lifetime suspension. Hoping these changes will deter dangerous behavior and save lives.
In addition to his legal aspirations, John is committed to spreading awareness about the devastating consequences of drunk driving. He hopes to use his platform to highlight the more than 12,000 annual alcohol-related traffic deaths nationwide (and over 290 in Chicago alone in 2023), while amplifying the voices of victims’ families and pushing for meaningful policy reform.
“My father sacrificed everything to give his children better opportunities,” John said. “Honoring his memory means continuing to work hard and fighting so fewer families have to endure the pain ours has.”
Encore Protection created the Victim of Drunk Driving Scholarship to support students who have been personally affected by impaired driving and who demonstrate a commitment to prevention, advocacy, and community impact. John’s story and dedication to change perfectly embody the spirit of this program.
We congratulate John on this well-deserved award and look forward to the positive difference he will make in the fight against drunk driving.